Stepping up its offensive against Hamas, Israel has arrested 33 of its senior members from the West Bank, including Palestinian Education Minister Nasser al-Deen Shaer.

The army confirmed the arrests, saying the Hamas members have been taken for questioning, but gave no further details.

Four mayors of West Bank towns and three Hamas parliamentarians were among those apprehended in the morning raid.

Shaer was also arrested in August after the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Palstinian militants, but was released the following month.

"Five army jeeps arrived and asked for his ID. He identified himself and they took him," the Education Minister's wife, Huda, said. "I asked them, 'Why are you taking him'. The officer said, 'We have orders'."

Much of Hamas' leadership was arrested by the Israel Defence Forces after Shalit's abduction and some are still imprisoned.

In Israel, officials hinted that no one in the Islamic faction should see himself immune as the movement against Qassam rocket attacks from Gaza intensified.

The Israeli government authorised stepping up measures against the groups launching Qassams, including possible strikes against Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders.

At least two people were injured in the latest Israeli attacks in Gaza, which targeted money transfer stores. Israel said they were being used by militants to channel money from abroad.

Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 30 Palestinians over the last week, at least 11 of them civilians.

Palestinian militants have fired more than 120 rockets into Israel over the same period, killing one woman and injuring scores others.

Israeli troops also apprehended twenty Islamic Jihad activists two days ago from Bethlehem.

A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas representatives and members of various Palestinian factions last night reached a dead end and no agreement was reached on renewing a fragile truce with Israel.

Hamas officials have said that they can agree to a ceasefire if Israel also accepts it in the West Bank.